“Little Shop” Is Big Entertainment
Marriott Theatre’s sharp production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is the one with the big heart. The 50’s era sci-fi/horror camp classic musical about the alien plant that ate Cleveland (eventually), past the screams (of laughter from the audience), is a cautionary tale with two adages at the forefront: “be careful what you wish for” and “count the cost”. But at Lincolnshire’s regional stalwart, those two aphorisms are counterbalanced by an element other versions have not had – hope.
It starts with Jackson Evans’ Seymour, who while still the well-meaning, clumsy orphan we know and love, actually believes things could change. Though “Skid Row (Downtown)” nicely makes use, like only the Marriott can, of their theater-in-the-round arrangement, with the seemingly trapped citizens of the depressed area circulating the perimeter in a well-choreographed restlessness, it becomes obvious that the characters’ outlooks have seeds of promise. The Greek chorus of three lovely ladies, with voices to match – Chiffon (Miciah Lathan), Ronnette (Daryn Whitney Harrell), and Crystal (Lydia Burke) – aren’t the hardened “street urchins” often portrayed elsewhere, but a trio of BFF’s equally working together to make a way up and out.
Of course, there’s that loveable schlub, Mr. Mushnik – Mark David Kaplan uses the Jewish sensibilities and paternal prognostications with great comedic flair, staying away from stereotype by underplaying it just enough. Andrew Mueller, as the demented dentist Orin Scrivello, DDS, creates a menace that is all the more so with it’s simple straightforwardness. And then, there’s Audrey – Maya Rowe brings the adorable ingenue charm to a character who believes herself not so innocent, yet she, too, encourages improvement in others.
The infamous, insidious flytrap with world conquest goals is played to perfection by awesome operator Garrett Lutz and the definitive voice of Audrey II, the incredibly talented Lorenzo Rush Jr. Couple all this with the inspired costume design of Amanda Vander Byl (especially the glam gowns for the terrific triumvirate), the just enough minimalist mid-century set designed by Milo Bue, and Tommy Rapley’s incomparable direction/choreography, you have a “Little Shop” so good, it’s seriously scary. To make sure you get to witness the horror and hilarity, run for it to www.marriotttheatre.com before that ginormous growth takes over the planet and it’s all over March 15th.
